The Las Vegas Raiders need to be better up front on defense this season, and a new face has emerged as a potential anchor on that side of the ball.
General Manager Mike Mayock has made it a point to improve the Raiders defensive line over the last two offseason, as he took over a franchise that was able to muster only 13 sacks during the 2018 NFL season. Since then, he has used draft picks and free agency to get better up front, and the defensive line took a nice step forward in 2019.
In 2020, another step must be taken, and to help bolster the defensive line, Mayock once again dipped into free agency to get better. The Raiders signed edge rusher Carl Nassib to bring depth to a unit that includes Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby, while adding Maliek Collins to a defensive tackle position that has a solid young player like Maurice Hurst and a strong veteran in Johnathan Hankins.
Nassib is certainly going to help with the pass rush, but it is Collins who is drawing the biggest reviews from head coach Jon Gruden. He has already stated what a tremendous player he is, but he doubled down this week.
Maliek Collins to anchor the Raiders defense
Jerry McDonald, Beat writer for Oakland Tribune/Bay Area Newspaper Group tweeted this out on Wednesday.
Jon Gruden again singles out Maliek Collins when assessing defense: . "I'll go back to Maliek Collins, it all starts there. He'll be the anchor. We'll go as far as he takes us." #Raiders
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) August 12, 2020
There is no doubt that Collins is a special player, and the fact that Mayock was able to get him on a one-year deal is very impressive. If he is the player that Gruden feels he can be, then the Raiders will have to look to lock him up long-term, as he not only is solid against the run, but is also adept at getting after the quarterback.
The talent on the defensive side of the ball on all three levels is better than it has been in a while, thanks to not only Mayock’s solid draft moves, but also the moves he made in free agency. Linebacker has been revamped in a big way, veterans have been brought in bolster a secondary around Trayvon Mullen and Johnathan Abrams, and Rod Marinelli was added to the coaching staff.
With many weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and the improvements on defense, the Raiders are primed to make a run towards the playoffs in their first season in Las Vegas. Collins could end up being quite the steal this offseason, and the hope is he can live up to his already lofty expectations.